Gov. Ron DeSantis said river levels in North Florida will continue to rise as Hurricane Debby’s rains flow down from Georgia.  

During a press conference in Steinhatchee, DeSantis celebrated the work of first responders and the state’s emergency response while noting the unfortunate path of the storm—nearly mirroring Hurricane Idalia last year.  

“To then have another storm come through as you’re still picking up the pieces, even if it’s not as powerful, it’s almost like salt in the wounds,” DeSantis said. “It can be demoralizing.” 

Just over 110,000 Floridians remain without power, DeSantis said, but many staged resources won’t be needed. 

He called the two storms a night and day difference as far as damage. Idalia brought massive debris cleanup and wind damage, with President Joe Biden visiting the area impacted by the near Category 4 storm.  

Debby brought downpours. Alachua County received more than 6 inches of rain in most areas. The storm continued northeast into Georgia, and DeSantis said any rains in southern Georgia will end up downstream in North Florida. 

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said the state will wait for these rivers to swell before taking damage assessments and flood heights for Federal Emergency Management Administration submissions.  

He said response units had finished 600 of nearly 1,000 missions sent by cities, counties and other communities.  

Guthrie added that more than 100 Florida Guardsmen were in Sarasota setting up thousands of feet of temporary flood barriers.  

DeSantis said the state placed the barriers around substations before Debby, and he thinks it’ll remain a part of the state’s prevention efforts before storms.  

“We’re going to have issues to work through on this, but given what we’ve been through as a state in our history, this is something that is clearly going to be surmountable for us,” DeSantis said.  

DeSantis added that homes may flood in the coming week as rivers rise. He said the state is already planning to not use schools to allow the academic school year to begin on time. But other shelters will be used if needed. 

He said roads that are currently open may close in the coming days as flooding happens. 

To report damage to homes and businesses in Alachua County, click here.   

For updates on road closures, click here.